NAS Wexford - History

History

At the start of American involvement in the First World War five sites were identified in Ireland to be operated by the United States Navy in support of British operations against submarines. Wexford was chosen to cover the sector east of Queenstown Construction of the five Irish seaplane stations including Wexford started in March 1918 under the supervision of USN civil engineers. The first US forces to arrive at Wexford were eight men on 25 February 1918; the commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Victor Herbster, arrived on 28 March 1918. Small drafts of men arrived from Naval Air Station Queenstown from time to time until there were 232 men and 13 officers on station on 1 July 1918. By 1 August 1918, there were 15 officers and 298 men. By the end of October there were 20 officers and 406 men.

The location of the station was important strategically: it lay directly at the southern entrance of the Irish Sea, within twelve miles of Tuskar Light. For over four years Tuskar Rock was one of the most important navigational marks in Irish waters; the area became known as the graveyard of ships, due to the many sinkings by enemy submarines within three or four miles and in plain view of Tuskar Lighthouse.

A great deal of Allied shipping to and from the United Kingdom had to pass through nearby waters. Enemy submarines also used the Irish Sea as a short cut to and from their bases, and it was a fertile field for their operations; thus the Wexford area was a very busy with anti-submarine activity, both offensive and defensive. Before the flying boats from this station entered the game, submarines were exceptionally bold within the patrol area of Wexford. The air station was located along the Slaney river across from Wexford town; it was well protected from wind, waves and weather due to the almost land-locked harbor. It is also easily accessible for transportation and shipping.

The British Admiralty started work before the US Forces arrived at Wexford: part of the concrete hangar foundations had been laid, the roads were marked off and a portion of them excavated to receive the rock base. The Admiralty had also done some work in draining the field behind the site of the hangars. But at that time, it was not certain that an Air Station would ever be built. The U.S. personnel spent their first week in a general cleaning up, renovating Ely House, Bann Aboo and the grounds surrounding them. These two ancient Irish mansions were later occupied by the officers. It was a little odd to see American sailors doing housework in time of war, and in Ireland. No unnecessary work was done, however, and quickly the grounds were staked out, holes dug, posts set and building begun.

The builders encountered problems: supplies had not arrived; the men had insufficient clothing such as coats and rubber boots. It rained incessantly, and the site was a field of mud. Working hours were from 5 am to 9 pm, and all hands took turns at standing night watches. Makeshift beds were laid on cold and damp wooden floors. Many times the men went with insufficient sleep and started the new day's work feeling worse for what rest they did have.

Tentative plans for the station were made before 15 March 1918, but when the commanding officer arrived on 28 March 1918 many changes were made. The whole station was planned for maximum centralization; each building to be near the work to be performed and yet concentrated as far as possible into the minimum space. At the time the barracks were being erected at the rate of little better than one a day. In the meantime, civilian contract labor was working on the road construction, the concrete hangar foundations, aprons and slipway, the drainage systems, reservoir and reserve water tanks. They were also erecting the first hangar.